Ezra

Ezra

Finding the Context:

 Ezra is most likely the author of this short book. Ezra was a priest and scribe who came up to Jerusalem from Babylon (7:1-6). He wrote this book to the children of the exiles who had been living in Babylon and had since returned to live in Jerusalem (2:1,2; 7:8-10). Ezra was written to show the goodness of God to His people. He had promised them that he would bring them back from captivity and restore the temple. Ezra documents the fulfillment of these promises (2; 3:8; 6:22). You can see God’s goodness demonstrated in the repeated phrases that talk about God and his hand being upon his people (5:5; 7:9,28; 8:18). You also see a theme of generosity. God puts it into the hearts of the kings to give toward the rebuilding of His temple (1:4,6; 6:8-12,22; 7:15-24). Another repeated theme in Ezra is the lists of those who returned from exile (2:8).

Theme Tracing:

1.     What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

Ezra reveals that God loves being near His people who do His will. He puts His hand upon them and He loves to reveal His nearness to them. In 7:28 Ezra states that He was encouraged because He knew that God’s hand was on Him. Not only was God faithful to have His hand on Ezra, but he also chose to reveal this to Ezra to encourage his heart.

God is also faithful to do what He says. Even though it has been years since God promised to restore and bring back His people, He still keeps His word and Ezra is the written proof that God did show His faithfulness to Israel once again by leading them back to the land they were originally given (9:8-10).

2.     What does this book show about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

Ezra reveals God’s restoration of His people Israel. Even though they did not deserve it (the people even began to sin shortly after they returned 9:10), God has brought redemption and restoration to His people. He has brought them back to the land that belonged to them and and He has allowed the temple to be rebuilt (2:70; 9:8-10).